Get ready to acheive gorgeous hair color, with less damage.Though the cancer-causing carcinogens that used to be found in hair dye are long gone, many dyes can leave your hair dry and brittle. "My advice is to be as nice to your hair as possible," says Valerie Patton, a hair color chemist and chair of the California chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. That doesn't mean you need to give up your beautiful color for good, though.
While breathing in the fumes is more of a concern for hair stylists than for you, an ammonia-free product can be a better choice for those trying to go more natural, says Patton. 
How to Dye Your Hair the Healthy Way
Just follow these tips to dye your hair the healthy way. The smell you usually associate with hair coloring? That's ammonia. "It smells because it's a gas," says Patton. It colors the hair by breaking down the protective outer layer of the hair follicle. "Once this happens, the hair shaft is more susceptible to damage, especially as it's further exposed to chemicals in the dying process," says Sejal Shah, a New York dermatologist and RealSelf contributor. Truth is, ammonia-based dyes deliver the rich color you're after, but over time, your hair won't be in great shape.
